British Sea Power - Valhalla Dancehall

Having been around for just over a decade now, British Sea Power have certainly seen their fair share of ups and downs in their career. Although it was panned by a lot of critics, I felt their fourth album, 2008's Do You Like Rock Music?, was a logical next step in their discography, expanding their sweeping guitar pop into over-the-top choruses that are only meant to be played at full blast. On their new album, Valhalla Dancehall, British Sea Power seem to have no intentions of dialing things down, as the album kicks off with the chiming riffs--that build into a crescendo--of "Who's In Control?" and only proceeds to get catchier from that point on (listen to "Stunde Null" and "Observe The Skies" if you don't believe me). Of course, things can't be loud all the time, and British Sea Power attempt to pace their nearly hour-long album by sprinkling piano and ambient textures throughout ("Georgie Ray," "Luna"). They also introduce a few lengthier tracks, including the just over eleven minute long, "Once More Now," a lumbering ballad of sorts, save for a noisy wall of shoegaze guitars. Overall, Valhalla Dancehall is worth a download and a few listens, but it's definitely nowhere hear British Sea Power's strongest effort to date.

DOWNLOAD: British Sea Power - Valhalla Dancehall [Rough Trade]
Recommended Tracks: "Who's In Control," "Stunde Null," "Observe The Skies," "Heavy Water."